After a drama-filled Round of 16, we are left with eight teams with a chance of winning the World Cup. With the top four ranked teams all still in the competition, their four opponents will look to play spoiler. Here are the predictions for the upcoming quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup.
France vs Morocco – July 9th 21:00 BST, Boston Satdium
France have been the stand out team of the tournament so far. Their attack has put up some of the greatest numbers we have ever seen at a World Cup. Kylian Mbappe has seven goals at this tournament in five games, and also has two assists to his name. Ousmane Dembele, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, has four goals himself, with a hattrick against Norway, and also has two assists. Michael Olise has been the creator for this team, leading the tournament with five assists. France’s toughest game came in their Round of 16 tie against Paraguay, as they came away 1-0 winners through an Mbappe penalty. What that proved, though, is that France can win ugly. Paraguay made that game a tough one to watch but France showed they can stick it out through a match that isn’t as free-flowing as they might like, where they are being fouled constantly against a team that will make no attempt to score. France can win in many different ways, and the Paraguay result proved that.
Morocco will not set up as negatively as Paraguay, however. This team is no longer a ‘dark horse’, they are simply a very good side. World Cup semi-finalists in 2022, where they were defeated by France, this Morocco team possesses elite talent. Achraf Hakimi is the best right back in the world, and has Brahim Diaz in front of him down that right hand side, with Diaz registering four assists this tournament. Azzedine Ounahi in the midfield has also had an excellent tournament, netting twice in the 3-0 win over Canada. But Morocco will be without their top scorer, Ismael Saibari, through injury, which is a huge miss given how good he has been, often starting up front instead of his natural attacking midfield position.
France will likely have more of the ball in this game but Morocco showed against the Netherlands that they are more than comfortable in possession themselves. Along with that, the Atlas Lions are lethal on the counter attack, evidenced by their second and third goals against Canada in the Round of 16. Saibari will be a big miss, but Soufiane Rahimi, who came on for the injured Saibari against Canada, is a fitting replacement. Rahimi is yet to start a game at the tournament and may still just be used as an impact subsitute in Saibari’s absence, but he showed his ability against Canada with a goal, his second of the tournament.
Prediction – France 3-1 Morocco
If Morocco were to win this game, it would establish them as a modern powerhouse in the footballing world. As good as they are, however, it is impossible to look past France. The movement they have up front with Mbappe and Dembele, combined with Olise’s playmaking, is unstoppable. France will have to be careful, as Morocco do have the talent to punish them, and, if you had to pick a weakness in this French side, it would probably be their midfield. However, Morocco will need to come out of their shell in this game, and given France’s quality, it is hard to see that front line being stopped.
Spain vs Belgium – July 10th 20:00 BST, Los Angeles Stadium
European champions Spain are the only team in the tournament yet to concede a goal. They perhaps haven’t produced the same elite standard of play we saw in their Euros victory two years ago, but they have been just as effective, scoring nine goals in five games this tournament. Their ability to control games is second to none, with the highest average possession of any team left in the tournament. Along with that, while the football hasn’t been as liquid as a team like France, they know they have the quality to win tight games which they will more than likely be in control of. The 1-0 win against Portugal was a perfect example. Portugal never really looked a threat, and none of Spain’s opponents have. Goalkeepr Unai Simon has made just six saves in five matches. Spain are excellent defensively, and when they’ve needed to, their quality has produced. Given how good they are in midfield, chances like Mikel Merino’s winner against Portugal are inevitable. Lamine Yamal may not have had as great a tournament as we expected so far, possibly due to an injury, but it would be ill-advised to count him out.
Belgium have managed to make it to the last eight despite a rocky start to their tournament. Draws to Egypt and Iran left them needing to beat New Zealand to secure qualification for the Round of 32, which they did in emphatic fashion, winning 5-1 and topping the group. Against Senegal, they mounted an incredible comeback, having been outclassed the majority of the game, scoring two late goals to go to extra time, where a Youri Tielemans penalty with the last kick of the game won it 3-2. But the Red Devils’ best performance came in their latest match. A 4-1 victory over co-hosts USA has given them plenty of momentum. Amadou Onana’s injury against the USA, however, is a huge blow for Belgium, which will make it even tougher for them to get control of the ball against Spain. That gives Tielemans, who has had an excellent tournament, a tall task against the Spain midfield of Rodri, Dani Olmo and Pedri. Manager Rudi Garcia is not afraid to make the tough decisions either, dropping Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku for the USA game. However, Doku may need to start this game as Belgium will have next to none of the ball, and will need his quality on the counter attack. As for De Bruyne, as great as he once was, he may have to ride the bench again given the amount of work Belgium will need to do out of possession.
Prediction – Spain 2-0 Belgium
Given the control Spain have in games and the quality they have going forward with Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal, they will likely come out on top. Belgium do have quality going forward with Doku and Leandro Trossard, as well as Romelu Lukaku who has three goals this tournament, all off the bench. But the Spanish defence has been excellent all competition and given how well organised they are off the ball, and how much control they have on it, it is hard to see Belgium scoring, whereas Spain’s attacking quality will shine.
Norway vs England – July 11th 22:00 BST, Miami Stadium
Norway have been the story of the tournament so far. Entering the competition as the 31st ranked team in the world, albeit with that ranking far too low, they find themselves in the final eight after knocking out the greatest footballing nation ever, Brazil, with a 2-1 win. If Norway were going to have any success at this tournament, they needed Erling Haaland to be at his best, and he has been the best striker in the competition. His two goals against Brazil took him to seven for the tournament, having only played four matches given he was rested against France. But as good as Haaland is, this team is so much more than just him. They are an excellent team in transition, and pose a huge threat when they get the ball wide. Alexander Sorloth and Antonio Nusa have both had strong tournaments, with the latter scoring a wonderful opening goal against the Ivory Coast. Captain Martin Odegaard has also had a great tournament so far, with three assists for his nation. Norway are a huge threat with their crosses, helped of course by having Haaland as their number nine, but their set pieces are also a big threat. Haaland is the obvious target, but 6′ 3″ Torbjorn Heggem and 6′ 6″ Kristoffer Ajer are also danger men. As good as Norway are going forward, however, they have struggled at the back this competition. In fact, they are the only team in the quarter-finals yet to keep a clean sheet.
England are coming off a massive win at the Azteca Stadium against Mexico. After 40 minutes with 10 men, Thomas Tuchel’s men came away 3-2 winners in what was practically an away game. England have been described as a two-man show this tournament with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham scoring all but one of their goals, but while those two stars have certainly been the Three Lions’ standout players, other members of the squad are starting to shine. England’s wingers have been a problem most of the tournament, but Anthony Gordon was excellent against Mexico, playing a big part in the second goal, and winning the penalty for the third. Bukayo Saka has three assists this tournament despite not being fully fit, and was unfortunate to be subbed off against Mexico due to Jarell Quansah’s red card. Add in Marcus Rashford making an impact off the bench, which he has done already in this tournament, and suddenly England’s wingers are a strong point. Declan Rice has also had a great tournament, then add in Elliot Anderson into the middle of the park and there is no midfield in the tournament with more of an engine than England’s. At the back, England have been shaky at times, particularly against crosses, but Reece James may be fit again to solve the right back issue, and Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa were excellent when they had to deal with cross after cross in the win against Mexico.
Prediction – England 3-2 Norway
Despite the ending to the Mexico game, England’s starting centre backs in Guehi and Konsa are not the best in the air, opening up the possibility of Haaland scoring for the 15th game in a row for his country. Given England’s attacking talent going forward, however, it feels as if this could be a goal-fest with Kane and Bellingham in the form they are in. England will likely dominate the ball, but Norway won’t mind that at all given how good they are on the break. It won’t be easy, but the Three Lions’ overall quality should see them through in an exciting contest.
Argentina vs Switzerland – July 12th 2:00am BST, Kansas City Stadium
Argentina have survived two huge scares to make it to the quarter-finals. The reigning world champions defeated Cabo Verde 3-2 in extra time after the World Cup debutants equalised twice, once in the original 90 minutes, and again in extra time. Then, against Egypt, Argentina fought back from a 2-0 deficit with three goals from the 79th minute onwards to win their second straight knockout match 3-2. Argentina looked infallible in the group stage, with three wins from three, conceding just one goal. But in the knockout stages they have looked anything but. Defensively, they have looked shaky at best, being exposed at the back by both Cabo Verde and Egypt. Going forward, however, this team poses a huge threat. Lionel Messi is the obvious danger man, with his eight goals putting him as the leader in the golden boot race. He also plays as creator, though, as he has done throughout his career. Argentina have proved a threat from corners, which Messi is the primary taker of, as they scored twice from them against Cabo Verde. The eight time Ballon d’Or winner also provided the assist for Christian Romero’s goal which sparked the comeback against Egypt. Although Messi wasn’t involved in the winning goal against Egypt, however, there is a slight concern as to whether Argentina can create anything without their 39-year-old superstar, especially as they start to face stronger teams.
After a shaky start to the World Cup where they drew with Qatar, Switzerland have made it to the quarter-finals for the first time since 1954. This team may not set the world alight, but they have proven they are very hard to beat, which is often much more important in tournament football than flashy play. After a 2-0 win over Algeria in the Round of 32, Switzerland defeated Colombia on penalties following a 0-0 draw after 120 minutes, which came to many people’s surprise. Conceding just three goals in five games, and no goals so far in the knockout stages, Murat Yakin’s men are proving hard to break down. If Switzerland are to knock out the champions, they will need their key players to perform. A lot will be asked of captain Granit Xhaka in the midfield, and going forward Breel Embolo will be their main threat. They will also be hoping that top scorer Johan Manzambi, who has three goals and two assists this tournament, can return from injury for this game, at least off the bench. If he does return, there is no doubt this team can cause Argentina problems going forward. Switzerland are no strangers to knocking out world champions, either. In Euro 2020, they knocked out 2018 World Cup winners, France, on penalties. Two years ago this team was also a penalty shootout away from a Euros semi-final, so they are by no means a pushover.
Prediction – Argentina 2-1 Switzerland (AET)
Switzerland are an extremely solid team. They never go incredibly deep in major tournaments, but they are the type of side that none of the big teams want to face in a knockout match. Given that, and the fact that Argentina have not looked entirely convincing in their first two knockout games, extra time seems a real possibility in this one. As solid as Switzerland are, however, Argentina are the better side. A criticism of Argentina made earlier was that they may rely on Messi too much, but the fact is he is their best player which means they will lean on him, and they won a World Cup three and a half years ago with a similar formula. Once again, it won’t be easy for them, but the world champions will see it through to make a second straight semi-final.